Hymn. A hymn is a song or verse of praise. As you read "Auld Lang Syne," consider it as a song of praise—what or who is being praised? Dialect. Dialect is a version of a language spoken by the people of a particular place, time or social group. "Auld Lang Syne," like most of Burns’s work, is written in Scots, a northern dialect of the English language spoken by Scottish peasants. You may find it helpful to read the song through once, using the footnotes, and then again for fluidity.
Metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is spoken or written about as if it were another. In the second stanza of "John Anserson, My Jo," the speaker mentions a hill. Consider the hill as a metaphor—what does this metaphor describe?
Image. An image is a word or phrase that names something that can be seen, heard, touched, tasted or smelled. As you read, note the images used in "John Anderson, My Jo."
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The poem “Auld Lang Syne” is perhaps the best known of all Scottish songs. Its first verse and chorus are sung traditionally at midnight on New Year’s Eve. The poem expresses the tenderness of friendship, the joy of celebration, and the value of memories. In “John Anderson, My Jo,” Burns celebrates lifelong friendship, honoring a couple who have shared the joys and hard work of youth and now share their later years.
As you read "Auld Lang Syne," make a chart listing examples of dialect you find in this selection. In the left column write the example of dialect and in the right column explain the meaning in Standard English. One example has been done for you.
What has happened to the friendships of your childhood, and how do you feel about that?
How has the appearance of someone close to you changed over the years?
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